Identify protected trees
Trees can be protected:
- If they are covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO); and/or
- Within a Conservation Area.
It is a criminal offence to prune, cut down or damage a protected tree without following the correct procedures. This can result in substantial fines.
You can check if a tree is protected by using our interactive mapping system.
View Tree Preservation Order Interactive Map
Use the "Map Layers" tool to tick the box next to the "Environmental & planning" group and the "Tree preservation order areas" and "Tree preservation points" layers within it. You will also need to tick the box next to the "Historic Environment" group and the "Conservation Area" layer within it to make everything visible.
- Green dots relate to individual trees, whereas the green shading will relate to a group, area or woodland. You will need to zoom in to see these.
- Purple hatching shows where there is a Conservation Area.
- The mapping overlay shows the position of the trees at the time the order was made.
Please note that changes including felling and replanting may have occurred since this time.
Although the system is updated, new Orders will not automatically become visible on the map. Therefore a new Order may be in force, but not viewable on the system.
We advise anyone using the system to take a dated screen shot as evidence of their check.
If you have any queries please contact planning@cornwall.gov.uk.
Concerned about works to trees?
If you have concerns regarding works to trees:
Check if the tree is protected. Please see the above section on identifying protected trees.
If the tree is not protected but you think the tree(s):
- make an important contribution to public visual amenity; and
- are considered to be at risk.
Then please visit our request a new TPO web page.
If the tree is protected, please check if these works have been given consent. See section below.
Check if works to protected trees have consent
Requests for works (except epicormic growth) can be found on the Online Planning Register.
Requests can be made as individual trees or across a wider area making it difficult to search for an exact address. Guidance has been produced top help search the online planning register and identify these requests:
Searching the Register - Guide to identifying request for works to protected trees
Epicormic Growth
Cornwall Council Highways Team are responsible for the management of a Cornwall Council trees (where they affect highways). A regular minor management requirement is the removal of epicormic growth, the small twiggy growth at the base of some street trees (Lime, Elm, Poplar, Willow, Horse Chestnut and Hornbeam are common species that often have profuse epicormics growth at stem base and/or up lower stems). If unmanaged the growth can obstruct highways, vision lines, footpaths etc. The growth needs to be cut back every year, using a combination of hedge trimmers, secateurs, loppers and pruning saws.
Although consent is not required, Cornwall Council Highways Team provide planning with a list of proposed works.
Cornwall Council Highways notification of epicormic growth removal
Report unauthorised works
If after checking:
- the tree is protected; and
- consent has not been given
you can report it using this link: